Mama G + Three

It's late…I'm fully aware of that. But I have an excuse. Sam is an insomniac. Seriously. The 3-4 month stage was sleepless for us both. Sam doesn't like to nap longer than 45 minutes. Drives me bonkers. And at night…he was, at one point, waking up every hour. Holy shit. That's a lot, especially for a little baby that is in our room.

But now that we are well into week 19 of sweet Sam's life, things are better. I now have Sam on a strict nap schedule and he's doing much better at night. It looks something like:

6:15pm - Bath
6:30pm (ish) - Bed
11:00pm - dream feed
3:30am - feed
7:00am - wake

So with Sam NOT in our bedroom very soon - I think it can only get better, right?

Oh Sam, you are too much lately. I cannot believe you are three months old already. You are such a joy lately - so cuddly and so sweet. Oh so squishy.

You wake up between 6:30 and 7:00am and you are such a morning person. I go over to your crib and you give me the biggest smile. I am not a morning person, but lately - I have become one because of you. You serious bring the biggest smile to my face each morning.

You nap during the day every 2 hours and I recently started putting you down in your crib every 2 hours. You seem to like that and having been putting yourself to sleep. Some days you fight it and I have to give in and put you in your swing…but that's ok. I'll pick my battles.

At night - you go to bed between 7 and 8pm. I normally nurse you for about 15 minutes before I go to bed (at 10pm) - then you wake at 1:00 and 4:00…still. I say still because I don't think you need one of those feedings - but we'll figure it out when we move into our new home... more about that later.


You drool more than Nate. Seriously…I have never seen anyone drool as much as you do. And those chunky little hands are always in your mouth. It's adorable…to me.

You can hold your head up and roll belly to back. You love laying on my floor while I massage your big chunky theighs.

You laugh…oh, do you laugh. Big belly laughs too. I haven't gotten many, but your big brother does. You think he's the funniest.





You love affection and need it. You want to be held 80% of the day when you are awake. You recently started to enjoy the jumper and you like tummy time…but if you had it your way, you'd be held ALL day long.

We won't go back to the Doctor until you are 4 months - and I actually look forward to that. I love seeing how you've grown and how you are thriving. We make such a good team, buddy. I'm proud of us.
Thank you for bringing so much love, joy and strength to our Family. You rock, little man.

Happy Birthday, Sam!

My big boy turned one month old on Monday. First month is gone already. It makes me sad to think how fast this first year will go…but I'm excited for his new milestones. 

Big things happened this past week. IV started school. I can't believe I'm even typing those words…but the day has come. For the first time in almost three and half years - I would leave IV during the day.

But - he was ready. We didn't make a big deal about starting school, just because we had enough going on this Summer with the arrival of Sam. I knew if I really talked a lot about school, IV would get anxious and not want to go.

So when the day arrived, I treated it like any other day…but today, we were going to school.

I wasn't sure how the morning would go, but I knew I wanted to leave Sam at home. I felt that it'd be best to just start the day with Stew, IV and myself. We'd go to school and hopefully everyone holds back the tears. So my Mom took the morning off to stay with Sam while we headed to school.

8.8.14 | Sam Hardy Gregory - A Birth Story:

It's been over 20 weeks since I last posted. At that point, we had just found out that our sweet baby was a boy. Let me skip forward to August 4th, my due date. I was still pregnant.

I had my weekly appointment in the afternoon. My Dr asked if I wanted him to strip my membranes - I declined the offer and headed home with an appointment card in one week - written on that card:


Tuesday and Wednesday were normal days. Nothing to report or complain about for that matter. But I woke up on Thursday and something felt different. Not physically, but mentally. I knew today was the day I had been waiting 40 plus weeks for. My day started off with mild contractions throughout the morning and afternoon. I kept Stew updated - and actually said "I think today is the day."

Around 3:00pm, I emailed my Mom at work and told her to plan on taking Friday off, which she did. I finished up my work for the day and at 5pm, IV and I headed outside for a game of hop scotch. I wasn't feeling good. I quickly downloaded a contraction app on my phone and started to time my contractions.  What a rookie move. To my surprise, they were 7-9 minutes apart and become intense.

At 6pm, I attempted to eat dinner, which Stew had so graciously picked up on his way home. I ate in between contractions.

At 7pm, it was bath time for IV. I told Stew I couldn't help and that I wanted to head to the hospital once he was in bed. After a quick bath and book, I kissed IV and told him we were off to meet his baby brother.

And now, that moment had arrive. We stood in the living room, bags in hand. We were anxious, nervous and I was in pain. We left for the hospital. I checked in at 5cm and 100% effaced. We settled into labor and deliver. At this point my contractions became worse. I told Stew I wasn't sure how much longer I could handle them. I asked for an epidural. About 30 minutes last, the anesthesiologist arrived. It's 10pm and I felt good…better and at ease. I was ready. I kept watching the clock to see if baby Sam would be born on 8.7 or 8.8. I secretly wanted 8.8.14.

The room was calm, the nurses were relaxed and soft spoken. I had the shakes. I was freezing.

I had transitioned. 

Around midnight it was time. I was 10cm.

I practiced pushing a few times and couldn't find my rhythm. I know that may sound weird, but I couldn't get it. It didn't feel right. So after a few minutes of practicing, I found my groove. His head was partially out.

Stew looked. I didn't.

I pushed a few more times and at 12:24am on Friday, 8.8.14, my beautiful Sam Hardy was born. He came into the world at 9lbs 10oz and 21" long. He was quickly placed on my chest and right then I knew our family was complete. Sam was the final piece of our family.



After about 30 minutes, the nurses took Sam to perform all tests and give him his first bath.

I breathed a sigh of relief and Stew looked at me and said "you are amazing. you did it again. you are so strong" 

It was time for me to get up and use the bathroom. I walked the 5 feet and told my nurse I couldn't see her. I couldn't hear either.

The nurse pulled the emergency handle and 15+ doctors and nurses flooded the deliver room.

I had passed out.

After, what Stew tells me, about 2 minutes - I came to feeling tired. The nurses placed me back in bed for fluids and something to eat.

It's now 3am.

We were tired, yet couldn't sleep. We closed our eyes, with Sam in his bassinet next to my bed. We woke around 6am - I felt relief. 40+ weeks carrying this sweet boy and he was finally here. He was perfect.

Proud Big Brother!

I'm hoping to find more time to write about my last 20 weeks of pregnancy and write about the last two weeks with my boys.

Stay tuned.

I'm playing catch up on my blog and whats been going on. Ahhhh. I have zero time. Like, zero. 

So here we go. I'm 20+ week - half way through my pregnancy. I feel amazing…but more about that later.

Stew and I…and IV vacationed in Florida for 8 days and it was dreamy! Warm weather and cold drinks…a date night, beach days, boat days and days by the pool.

We came back into town and had our 20 week anatomy scan. We are having a HEALTHY baby! It was so amazing and so great to see our little one on that screen. I'll post a whole bunch more about baby #2 and how I'm feeling later this week.

So here are some pictures from our trip to Florida to see Stew's parents and sister (and family).

Nana & Papa

First Red Sox Game

We are getting dumped on today here in NH and I'm over it. I'm so done with the freezing temps and snow. I'm ready for Spring and warm weather. I don't like snow, ice or freezing rain. I like beaches...pools, palm trees…and the only thing I want cold is my beer.

I'm done. 

But for the sake of me us not losing our minds…we bundled up and headed outside for some fun in the white stuff.

I have a confession….since moving in with my parents, the Holidays haven't excited me as much as they normally do. I really think it's because I'm not in my "own" home. Sounds weird right? I mean, I grew up here (in my parents house)…but still. So, little by little…I'm trying to still do fun Holiday stuff with IV.

Seeing IV loves to bake and help with tasks…I knew these adorable jar treats would be perfect.

Ummm…cute? Yes. Delicious? no. 

Turns out though - the moisture in the jars isn't right. The "Goldfish" graham crackers got very moist…and the taste was way off after opening after a week or so. Wasn't good. So we are going to substitute them for more M&Ms…and ship them out.


So IV was psyched to make some jar treats and ship them out for Valentines Day to Nana. And I wanted him to receive something special too. I purchased a cookie for $5 (flat fee) to be delivered on Valentines Day…with a little personal message. So cute, right? I picked the "Bee Mine"…but they have a few others that are cute too.

It's funny. I never really thought about sharing my "story". I didn't think I had one, to be honest. But after my blogging buddy Sarah left a comment saying "I can't wait to hear your story…" it got me thinking.

So here we go.

January 2013:
Stew and I decided that we would try for a second child once IV turned 2 (in April). So on January 1st I finished my last packet of birth control pills and waited for my natural cycle to return.

It didn't.

April 2013: IV turns two and I seek the help and guidance of my OBGYN. After my blood work returned "normal", she decided to put me on a 10 day dose of medicine to jump start my cycle.

No luck. 

May 2013: I meet with my OB again for a consult. She tells me I have two options: In vitro or Clomid.

Not happening. My mind was made up before I left my Doctors office. I discussed the options with Stew and we both agreed. If it wasn't meant to be…it just wouldn't be. We would spoil the shit out of IV and live a happy life as a family of THREE. 

I'm now 7 months without a menstrual cycle. 

July 2013: My cycle returns. I/we are happy and relieved that I'm "normal" again.

Sept 2013: We "try"…without charting or temping. We just give it a shot.

No luck.  

{End of} October into November 2013: We "try".

November 21st at 7:00pm: I get my first POSITIVE pregnancy test. 

So let me back up a bit. On November 15th we moved out of our house and into my parents house. We had our closing on Friday November 22nd at 10am. I'm officially 4 days late - that was normal seeing I didn't have a set number in-between cycles. But Stew kept saying "you're pregnant".

We were giving IV a bath…and I had a feeling. I ran upstairs to test. I put the test on my nightstand and back downstairs to the bath. 10 minutes later I ran back upstairs and saw it. PREGNANT. I died. I couldn't believe I was pregnant. I ran back downstairs and told Stew. He gave me a high-five. (typical).

On Saturday my OB sent me for blood work to confirm and on Monday I retested to be sure my levels were rising.

They were. At a healthy rate too. 

Tuesday November 26th: We fly out to Georgia for Thanksgiving to see Stew's Family. The wine is poured and we all toast to being together. Stew throws in…"And to baby number two!". Everyone is elated and we all celebrate.

Monday December 9th: Our first Ultrasound. Based on my last period….my due date is July 27th. But Baby 2 was measuring a few days smaller and we moved my date to August 4th. My Dr. still has me down as July 27th…but we decided to go with how the baby measured. Apparently my Dr only moves your date if you are 7 days or more away from your date. I was 6…and I know when we had sex. So it's August 4th. Trust me.

So that's it. That's our story. I absolutely love being pregnant. I feel amazing. I don't and didn't have any morning sickness or nausea - my energy is now back, which makes me feel even better.

As far as living with my parents….we are still here. Searching daily for land so that we can build or dream home. People have asked if we'll be in our home before Baby 2 arrives…the answer is no. We live in New Hampshire (read "frozen ground")…even if we bought land in the next month, we wouldn't be able to break ground until Spring…leaving just a few months for the build. It's not feasible.

Am I ok with that? Absolutely. My Dad is home during the day. My Mom is on the verge of retirement and I have (and will have) plenty of help during the day.


So with that - I'm looking forward to 2014. Finding out if we are having anther boy…or baby girl. It's a girl if you ask IV.

We have a boy name…just not 100% of a girls name.

I'm looking forward to our March vacation in the warmth…I'm looking forward to IV turning 3 in April…and I'm looking forward to meeting this baby in the Summer.

Thank you all again for your sweet comments.

I'm here. I'm alive…and I've just shared some very big news on Instagram and Facebook - so if you follow me there, you already know.

Stew and I are expecting our 2nd child in August! 

I/we are beyond thrilled and so happy. Timing just worked out perfect and I'm feeling very lucky each day.

So I'll try to sit down more and fill you all in on how I'm feeling, when we found out and what's been going on for the last 12 weeks.

But until I can find the time to do so…I'll leave you all with some of my favorite shots from our "Pregnancy Announcement" photo shoot.

Enjoy!